The 13th Dalai Lama Ngawang Lobsang Thubten Gyatso was born on May 27, 1876 amidst auspicious signs such as flowers that bloomed out of season, rainbows and his mothers’ dreams prior to his birth that indicated the baby in her womb was the incarnation of the 12th Dalai Lama. When the boy was two years old, a search party to locate the Dalai Lama’s incarnation found him and they were convinced that he was the correct candidate. Subsequently, the Tibetan government obtained confirmation from the Dharma protector Nechung via his oracle, alongside endorsement from the Manchu Emperor Guangxu’s (r. 1875 – 1908) representative to enthrone the boy as the 13th Dalai Lama. The boy was enthroned on August 1, 1879.

The regent at the time, the 10th Tatsak Ngawang Pelden Chokyi Gyeltsen became the young Dalai Lama’s senior tutor. Unfortunately, he passed away in 1886. The 9th Demo Rinpoche Ngawang Lobsang Trinley Rabgye was chosen as a new regent, and the 3rd Purchok Jampa Gyatso from Sera Monastery was appointed as the Dalai Lama’s junior tutor. The 13th Dalai Lama was very affectionate to his junior tutor. Through Purchok Jampa Gyatso, the Dalai Lama was introduced to Agvan Dorjiev, a Russian monk who would later influence the Dalai Lama in regards to the importance of forging connections with foreign powers.

After the 3rd Purchok Jampa Gyatso’s passing, the 13th Dalai Lama wrote a devotional biography of his tutor and mentioned that, “the kindness of my teacher cannot be repaid even at the cost of the heaps of jewels that fill the three worlds.” During the 13th Dalai Lama’s early reign, the British intended to strengthen their power in the Himalayan region. In 1885, the British mission led by Colman Macaulay arrived at Tibet’s border. However, the Tibetans were suspicious of the British intention, and they were refused entry to Tibet.

In 1895, the 13th Dalai Lama was ordained as a full monk and in 1899, he embarked on his geshe examination. He was the first Dalai Lama to be awarded a Geshe Lharampa degree upon successful completion of his examination.

Assuming Political Power

The 13th Dalai Lama did not assume political power until he was 20 years old. The Dalai Lama only enjoyed two years of peace before the Chinese governor, Lu Chualin decided to attack Kham. The Dalai Lama sent a secret mission to Beijing to request the withdrawal of Chinese troops from Tibet. Emperor Guangxu agreed to this request, and the territory was returned to Lhasa.

In 1900, Demo Rinpoche gave the Dalai Lama a pair of shoes he received from a stranger. The Nechung oracle warned the Dalai Lama against wearing the shoes and later the Dalai Lama’s attendants found that the shoes had been charmed with black magic intended to harm the Dalai Lama. After the incident, Demo Rinpoche was exiled, and his followers were arrested. He was banished to live the rest of his life in life-long retreat, during which he passed away.

Favouring Russia and Alienating the British

In the early 20th century, Agvan Dorjiev managed to convince the 13th Dalai Lama that the Russian Empire would be interested and able to protect Tibet from a potential British invasion. In 1898, Agvan Dorjiev visited Russia as the Dalai Lama’s representative. He returned two years later in the summer of 1900 with six other Tibetan representatives. This visit was repeated again in 1901, when Agvan Dorjiev and the other Tibetan representatives managed to meet with Tsar Nicholas II, Russia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Finance in St. Petersburg. Although Tsar Nicholas II and his ministers were friendly to the Tibetan emissaries, Agvan Dorjiev was not successful in securing Russia’s commitment to protect Tibet from any British invasion.

Unfortunately, the intention and the success of these visits would be exaggerated and consequently, the British were provoked to invade Tibet. Considering that Agvan Dorjiev was born in the Russian Empire, the British assumed that Agvan Dorjiev was acting to advance Russia’s interests in Tibet. The British used the information from various sources to justify their invasion of Tibet.

His Holiness the 13th Dalai Lama was a great spiritual master as well as the secular leader of Tibet

Colonel Younghusband’s Expedition to Tibet

The exaggerated perception surrounding Agvan Dorjiev’s visits to Russia, his presumed role as a ‘Russian agent’ and pro-Russian sentiment in Tibet caused considerable concern among British officials in India. As a result, the Viceroy of India, George Nathaniel Curzon decided to assign Colonel Francis Younghusband to lead an armed mission to Tibet and secure an advantageous trade agreement for Britain.

During his advances in Tibet, Colonel Younghusband faced opposition from the Tibetans. Due to their lack of experience and outdated weapons however, the Tibetans were not an equal match against the well-equipped British soldiers. The battle resulted in relatively low casualties on the British side – 202 lost their lives in battle, while 411 lost their lives to injury or illness. There were, on the other hand, significant losses for the Tibetan side – between 2,000 to 3,000 Tibetans lost their lives during battle or were fatally wounded in the war effort.

Colonel Younghusband and his troops arrived in Lhasa in August 1904. To his dismay, Younghusband found out that the 13th Dalai Lama and Agvan Dorjiev had left Lhasa for Urga, and therefore he had difficulties finding someone to sign the treaty to conclude the war. The Dalai Lama requested for Russian support to fight against the British. Unfortunately, Russia was focused in a war with Japan in 1904-1905. Therefore, the 13th Dalai Lama’s request for Russian assistance was not fulfilled.

Visiting Beijing

The Dalai Lama stayed in Urga until 1907. In February 1908, the 13th Dalai Lama traveled to Wu Tai Shan where he met various foreign diplomats from Britain, America and Russia in order to gain support against the oppressive Qing rule of Tibet. Although they were unsuccessful, the 13th Dalai Lama developed an appreciation for international politics. At this point, Tibet’s adverse opinion against Britain had lessened and the leaders began to consider enlisting British support in protecting Tibet against Chinese influence.

The Dalai Lama continued to travel to Beijing where he met with Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guang Xu to discuss Tibet’s issues. According to William Rockhill, American Ambassador to China, “[the Dalai Lama] had been treated with all the ceremony which could have been accorded to any independent sovereign, and nothing can be found in Chinese works to indicate that he was looked upon in any other light.”

Unfortunately, Empress Dowager Cixi and the emperor would both die within one day of each other in November 1908. In December 1908, the Dalai Lama returned to Lhasa and Agvan Dorjiev left for St. Petersburg.

Hastings House (Calcutta, India; 1910). Seated from left: Prince of Derge Ngawang Jampel, Crown Prince of Sikkim Sikyong Tulku, Charles Bell, the 13th Dalai Lama, Lonchen Shatra, Lonchen Zholgang, Lonchen Chankyim and Kalon Tenzin Wangpo. Standing from left: S.W. Laden la, Tashi Wangdi, unknown, physician Ngoshi Jhampa Thubwang, unknown, unknown, Diwan Bahadur Phala.

Chinese Invasion and Escape to India

Around the time the Dalai Lama returned to Lhasa, Beijing appointed General Zhao as the Amban and gave him permission to bring his army. The same year that the Dalai Lama assumed leadership in Lhasa, General Zhao successfully petitioned Beijing to appoint him Amban in Lhasa and to allow him to bring his troops with him. Wary of General Zhao’s intention, the Tibetans concluded that the Chinese would like to overthrow the Dalai Lama. In February 1910, General Zhao’s army invaded Tibet. The Dalai Lama was forced to escape to India, and appointed Gaden Tripa Tsemonling Ngawang Lobsang as the regent of Tibet during his absence. In October 1911, the Qing Dynasty fell and the Chinese retreated from Tibet. In early 1912, the Dalai Lama returned to Lhasa and declared Tibetan independence.

His Holiness the 13th Dalai Lama’s Declaration of Independence for Tibet

Excerpt from the 13th Dalai Lama declaration of independence:

“I, the Dalai Lama, most omniscient possessor of the Buddhist faith, whose title was conferred by the Lord Buddha’s command from the glorious land of India, speak to you as follows:

I am speaking to all classes of Tibetan people. Lord Buddha, from the glorious country of India, prophesied that the reincarnations of Avalokitesvara, through successive rulers from the early religious kings to the present day, would look after the welfare of Tibet.

During the time of Genghis Khan and Altan Khan of the Mongols, the Ming dynasty of the Chinese, and the Ch’ing Dynasty of the Manchus, Tibet and China cooperated on the basis of benefactor and priest relationship. A few years ago, the Chinese authorities in Szechuan and Yunnan endeavored to colonize our territory. They brought large numbers of troops into central Tibet on the pretext of policing the trade markets. I, therefore, left Lhasa with my ministers for the Indo-Tibetan border, hoping to clarify to the Manchu emperor by wire that the existing relationship between Tibet and China had been that of patron and priest and had not been based on the subordination of one to the other. There was no other choice for me but to cross the border, because Chinese troops were following with the intention of taking me alive or dead.

On my arrival in India, I dispatched several telegrams to the Emperor; but his reply to my demands was delayed by corrupt officials in Peking. Meanwhile, the Manchu empire collapsed. The Tibetans were encouraged to expel the Chinese from central Tibet. I, too, returned safely to my rightful and sacred country, and I am now in the course of driving out the remnants of Chinese troops from Do Kham in Eastern Tibet. Now, the Chinese intention of colonizing Tibet under the patron-priest relationship has faded like a rainbow in the sky.”

In 1912, Mongolia declared its independence from the Qing Dynasty, and the 8th Jetsundampa Khutuktu, a patron of Agvan Dorjiev’s St. Petersburg temple, was installed as the Khan. Agvan Dorjiev, representing Tibet, signed the Treaty of Friendship and Alliance between the Government of Mongolia and Tibet, with the new Khan’s ministers. This treaty stated both Tibet and Mongolia recognised each other’s independence, agreed to strengthen their friendship and acknowledged that they had shared the same religion for years.

Reformation

During his travel to India, China and Mongolia, the Dalai Lama had realised the need for change and reformation and therefore he implemented political and social reforms in Tibet. He promoted education, building of schools, sent students overseas to study, and invited foreigners to build schools and train the Tibetan army.

Spiritual Works

In addition to being the temporal head of Tibet, the Dalai Lama traditionally held the position of being the spiritual head of Tibet. This stems from the Dalai Lama’s incarnation lineage which can be traced back to Gendun Drup, one the main disciples of Lama Tsongkhapa. In fact the Dalai Lamas are considered to be emanations of Chenrezig. As such the Dalai Lamas have held pivotal roles in upholding and spreading the Dharma. The 13th Dalai Lama was another striking example of this. He was known to have written text clarifying points of practice for both sutra and tantra. Some of these works have been translated and published in the book Path of the Bodhisattva Warrior: The Life and Teachings of the Thirteenth Dalai Lama by Glenn Mullin, which I highly recommend you all to read.

Illness, Death & Prediction

The Dalai Lama fell ill and passed away on December 17, 1933. Before he passed away, he predicted that:

“In particular, we must guard ourselves against the barbaric red communists, who carry terror and destruction with them wherever they go. They are the worst. Already they have consumed much of Mongolia, where they have outlawed the search for the reincarnation of Je-tsen Dam-pa, the incarnate head of the country. They have robbed and destroyed the monasteries, forcing monks to join their armies or else killing them outright. They have destroyed religion wherever they’ve encountered it, and not even the name of Buddha-dharma is allowed to remain in their wake. I am sure you have heard the reports coming out of Ulan Bator and other such places.

It will not be long before we find the red onslaught at our own front door. It is only a matter of time before we come into a direct confrontation with it, either from within our own ranks or else as a threat from an external [communist] nation.

And when that happens we must be ready to defend ourselves. Otherwise our spiritual and cultural traditions will be completely eradicated. Even the names of the Dalai and Pan-chen Lamas will be erased, as will be those of other lamas, lineage holders and holy beings. The monasteries will be looted and destroyed, and the monks and nuns killed or chased away. The great works of the noble Dharma kings of old will be undone, and all of our cultural and spiritual institutions persecuted, destroyed and forgotten. The birthrights and property of people will be stolen; we will become like slaves to our conquerors, and will be made to wander helplessly like beggars. Everyone will be forced to live in misery, and the days and nights will pass slowly, and with great suffering and terror.

Therefore, now, when the strength of peace and happiness is with us, while the power to do something about the situation is still in our hands, we should make every effort to safeguard ourselves against this impending disaster. Use peaceful methods where they are appropriate; but where they are not appropriate, do not hesitate to resort to more forceful means. Work diligently now, while there is still time. Then there will be no regrets.

The future of our country lies in your hands. Whether you are a chief minister or simple government official, monk or lay person, teacher or disciple, secular leader or ordinary citizen, I urge you all to rise up together and work for the common good in accordance with your individual capacity. One person alone cannot ward off the threat that faces us; but together we can win out in the end. Avoid rivalry and petty self-interests, and look instead to what is essential.

We must strive together with positive motivation for the general welfare of all, while living in accordance with the teachings of the Buddha. If we do this, then there is no doubt that we will abide within the blessings of the national protective divinity Ne-chung, who was appointed by the Acharya [Padma Sambhava] to assist the line of Dalai Lamas in the task of caring for Tibet.

From my side, I too will do all that I can for the common good and direct my blessings to those who do likewise. I offer them my prayers that their efforts may meet with every success.

As for those who do not act correctly at this critical time, they will experience the fate they justly deserve. Their indulgent behavior may bring them comfort for a few moments, but in the end they will meet with disaster. Now they sit and lazily watch the time pass; but before long they will come to regret their apathy. And then it will be too late for remedies.

I feel that the happiness and prosperity of Tibet will continue for the remainder of my life. After that there will be considerable suffering, and each of you will individually experience the consequences of your ways in the manner I have described above.

My experiences and reason have convinced me that these things could come to pass, and that it would be useful for me to speak them to you.

Numerous external rituals have been and are being performed for my long life. But actually the most important thing people can do for me is to perform the inner ritual of holding this advice of mine in their hearts. If in the past mistakes have been made we should learn from them, and should resolve to change and to work hard from now on to the best of our abilities.

From my side, I will continue to do whatever I can to enhance the quality of our spiritual and cultural traditions, and to dedicate my energies to securing the Tibetan political situation. I encourage and will pray for all of you in positions of leadership who do likewise. Hopefully if we all work hard, our people will be able to know peace and happiness in the end, and our country be able to survive long into the future.

You have asked me to give you my advice, and therefore I have done so. Please take it to heart, and try to apply its essence day and night in all that you do. Thing carefully about what I have said, for the future is in your hands. It is extremely important to overcome what needs to be overcome, and to accomplish what needs to be accomplished. Do not confuse the two.”

Source: Mullin, Glenn. H (1988). Path of the Bodhisattva Warrior: The Life and Teachings of the Thirteenth Dalai Lama. Snow Lions Publications, Inc. p 111-113.

This clearly shows that His Holiness the Dalai Lama predicted the invasion of Tibet and announced that he would die early, in order that his successor would be old enough to act as a leader for the Tibetan people at the time the country was invaded. He passed away in Lhasa in not long after making this prediction.

I found these predictions interesting, and it inspired me to write this short article to share his history with all of you. His Holiness the 13th Dalai Lama was a great being, and his works were vast. I hope you have enjoyed reading about this great and holy being.

Tsem Rinpoche

 
For more interesting information:

• Dalai Lama Says We Can Practice Dorje Shugden Finally
• Nechung: The Retiring Devil of Tibet
• Emperor Kangxi
• Agvan Dorjiev: The Diplomat Monk
• Buddhist Monks Far Off In The Russian Mountains
• Methar of Tengyeling Monastery
• Chenrezig Ngesung Kundrol
• Blessing Eye Problems

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